South Carolina Lowcountry

The U.S. Coast Guard is making steady progress on a new 64-acre base in North Charleston, South Carolina, set to become its largest home port once complete. The project, which broke ground in early 2024, includes five major capital projects: rebuilding Piers November and Mike, and constructing an administrative building, a medical and dental clinic, an engineering complex, and housing. Pier November's reconstruction finished in October, while Pier Mike is expected by 2030 under a $116 million contract. Once finished, the piers could host 10 major cutters, up from the current five vessels. Local officials say the investment, following the 1996 closure of the Charleston Naval Base, could bring significant economic benefits to the region.

Charleston County Council voted 5-3 on Aug. 27 to authorize the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) to use eminent domain to acquire six acres of the 180-acre Coastal Carolina Fair property along Highway 78. CARTA plans to build a park-and-ride lot there for its planned $625 million Lowcountry Rapid Transit bus system, and says the site is essential to securing $374 million in federal grant funding. The county had approved the move once before in April, but a judge ordered a revote in June. The Exchange Club, which owns the fairgrounds, has fought the taking since 2024, arguing it would cost the fair parking revenue and set a troubling precedent.

Council members with CARTA board ties voted in favor without recusing, prompting conflict-of-interest objections from Exchange Club representatives. One councilmember, running for Congress, abstained citing an exchange club membership. Opponents questioned whether the federal funding would materialize under the Trump administration. The fair, set to run Oct. 28, relies on the disputed lot for roughly 900 parking spaces.

South Carolina Republicans returned to the polls Tuesday to pick a nominee for the Senate seat long held by the late Lindsey Graham, who died in July after winning renomination in June. Sen. Darline Graham, appointed to fill her brother's term and backed by President Trump and Sen. Tim Scott, faced Rep. Ralph Norman in a runoff after neither cleared a majority in the Aug. 11 primary; third-place finisher Rep. Russell Fry endorsed Graham. The winner faces Democrat Annie Andrews in the fall.

In Georgia's 13th Congressional District near Atlanta, Democrats Everton Blair and Marcye Scott, daughter of late Rep. David Scott, competed in a runoff to serve the remainder of Scott's term after topping a five-candidate field in July. Neither is seeking the full term beginning in 2027; that contest will pit Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark against Republican Jonathan Chavez in November. Both races drew attention as tests of turnout and party strength ahead of the 2026 midterms, now 70 days off.